How to Measure Kids’ Head Size for a Trucker Hat? | Tape In The Right Spot

Measure 1 inch above the eyebrows, just above the ears, around the fullest part of the back of the head — level and snug, not tight.

Half an inch off and a snapback trucker hat either floats or leaves a red line across the forehead. Head circumference taken where the hat actually sits — roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the eyebrows — decides the size, and Nike and Under Armour build their youth charts around that same line.

How Do You Take The Measurement Accurately?

Wrap a flexible tape horizontally, level all the way around, and read it where it meets itself.

1. Clear the head first. Ponytails, bows, clips, and bulky braids add height the hat won’t cover.
2. Position the tape about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the eyebrows and just above the ears — where a trucker hat’s band rests.
3. Run it around the fullest part of the back of the head, level behind the ears.
4. Hold it firm and comfortable; pressing the tape into the head shrinks the size you’ll pick.
5. Write the number in inches or centimeters and match it to that specific hat’s chart.

Repeat once. If readings differ, take the larger figure and measure a third time — kids wriggle.

No Flexible Tape? Use String Instead

A nonstretch string or strip of paper works nearly as well. Wrap it at the same 1-inch line, pinch where the end meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. Stretchy string or yarn fails — it lengthens as you pull.

What The Size Charts Actually Say

Brand charts are the final authority, and they disagree — which is why age labels can’t be trusted. Nike’s kids’ chart runs from 19⅞ inches at hat size 6¼ up to 22¼ inches at size 7⅛. Under Armour’s youth chart lists YSM/YMD at 20⅛–21¼ inches, YMD/YLG at 20⅞–22 inches, and OSFM at 20⅛–22⅜ inches.

Read the chart on the specific product page. Nike’s kids’ hats and headwear size chart notes its numbers are body measurements, not hat dimensions.

Where The Measurement Goes Wrong

Most bad fits trace to one of four slips: measuring only across the forehead, riding the tape too high on the crown or too low near the neck, letting it slope behind the ears, or pulling it tight enough to flatten the head. Measuring over a ponytail also counts.

• Using an adult chart for a youth hat overstates the size badly.
• Confusing head circumference with the hat’s brim or crown measurements, which describe the outside of the hat.

Between two sizes on an adjustable hat, size up. A snapback, hook-and-loop strap, or elastic band takes up slack, but no closure fixes a crown too shallow for the head. With the number written down, comparing tested youth trucker hats with adjustable closures gets easier, since sizing ranges are usually listed up front.

Check The Fit After The Hat Arrives

A correct trucker hat sits securely with no painful pressure, leaves no deep indentation, and never blocks the eyes. Have the child look down, turn the head, and move around — it should stay put. Note: a trucker hat shades the face but leaves ears and neck exposed, so it isn’t a substitute for a wide-brimmed sun hat on long days outdoors.